US university approves 'Modern Hinduism' course

Indiana, Nov 9: An American University has approved a course on Hinduism which aims at giving its students a comprehensive understanding of the religion and its rise.

DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana which is a private, national liberal arts college approved the course titled 'Modern Hinduism', dealing with religion's rise from the colonial period to present day.

“The main objective is to encourage an understanding of the embedded nature of modern Hinduism within the historical matrices of culture, society, politics and economics in South Asia," a statement released by the university read.

The course was approved by the faculty of the university last week by show of hands.

Expressing interest in the course, Melissa Zimmerman, a religious studies major said, "I think it definitely sounds like a useful class. There are modern courses in Islam and Christianity, so why not Hinduism?"

The university has strong Methodist roots and heritage. It was known as Indiana Asbury University - after Francis Asbury, who was the first American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, when it was founded in 1837.

Hinduism, which is the world's third largest religion, is a predominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. Rooted in the Iron Age of India, the Vedic religion is often known as the 'oldest living religion'.

OneIndia News